FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys began their first voluntary OTAs his week, as new coach Brian Schottenheimer and his staff finally get to use their "juice'' to get involved with the full roster.
And on Tuesday, we get to join them here inside The Star.
What are we specifically focusing on here? Five things to monitor ... and a bonus look ...
1 - THE LEADERSHIP JUICE This is specifically about "Schotty,'' but there is a trickle-down impact as well.
Schottenheimer has talked openly about the "energy'' and "juice'' he personally brings to a practice. So watching him bounce around and interact could be fascinating.
Before him? Coach Jason Garrett was energetic and sincere, but his critics would say that he was also "robotic'' in some ways.
And coach Mike McCarthy? For all of his attributes, "bounce-around energy'' was not generally on display.
And as part of this package? All-Pro Micah Parsons has vowed to follow "Schotty's' lead, vowing to be present as suggested by owner Jerry Jones and as requested by Schottenheimer.
"I'll still be around," Parsons said recently of attending even though he's in the midst of contract extension talks. "I've gotta walk through it. Maybe it's so much I might not be on the field part of it, but I'll be there learning, so that way I'm at least getting prepared to be ready for Week 1."
2 - PICKENS AND THE PECKING ORDER The Cowboys' trade for George Pickens from the Steelers has been labeled "controversial'' outside the building, and for good reason.
But to the fellas themselves?
CeeDee Lamb and Pickens have quickly become BFFs, each saying essentially that this offense now employs "two No. 1 receivers.'' ... and Pickens dubbing them "Goodfellas.''
So ... no "pecking order'' issue there.
How about beneath them on the depth chart?
Last year's midseason trade for Jonathan Mingo has produced nothing but talk. We've never really actually seen him accomplish anything on the field.
Today would be a good day to change that.
3 - MAZI AND THE BEEF Schottenheimer wanted the Cowboys to add big, nasty bodies in the trenches. Dallas did that with two late-round picks in Jay Toia (340 pounds) and Tommy Akingbesote (300 pounds).
Those guys won't really get a chance to show their stuff until the pads go on, except ...
We remember first-rounder Mazi early on, and we remember when former Chiefs standout Dontari Poe signed here in 2020. ... and we remember them having something in common, even in practice.
Mazi got turned sideways - often. That's a nose tackle's cardinal sin.
And Poe? He was 6-3 and 340 and a two-time Pro Bowler and by gosh, the same thing happened to him every day.
For today? Let's just see if Toia and Tommy can at least hold their ground and keep their feet.
4 - SANDERS AND SPEED Texas rookie Jaydon Blue runs a 4.28 40. ... reason enough to assume he'll be involved in the Dallas offense. Another rookie, Phil Mafah, might be in play. And the best all-around back here might be veteran signee Javonte Williams.
But if it's about being "all-around'' and fast?
Another veteran newcomer here is Miles Sanders. He's done Pro Bowl-worthy things in his career. Does he end up getting cut? Does he end up the starter?
When he played for Philly, he took Cowboys Nation's breath away every time he touched the ball.
Our breath awaits.
5 - BODY SNATCHERS Older guys often shed weight. Younger guys often get more fit.
It's a natural thing, really ... and it needs to happen in Dallas - especially to left tackle Tyler Guyton.
Obviously, when it comes to O-line play, the sexiest story is about first-round guard Tyler Booker. But last year's first-rounder Guyton is equally important here.
Guyton has the athleticism and the intellect and the want-to. But at 6-7 and 322, as of last year, he wasn't "built.''
We're interested to see if there is a needed change there.
6 - BONUS ON DAK AND JOE Dak Prescott enters his 10th NFL season coming off that nasty hamstring-torn-off-the-bone injury, surgery and rehab. To those who are on the verge of calling him "injury-prone''? Well, Prescott has played just two fully healthy seasons in the last five years, so ...
Yeah. We get that. And therefore when he suggests he "could play today if he had to''? Nah.
Better said ...
"I'm getting close to where I want to be, I don't want to put a percentage on it," Prescott said recently. "I know we've got team activities coming up, imagine myself being involved in some sort if not all. Then again I just understand my age, what I've had, what I've went through, it's about being my best in the fall.
"So I'm not rushing anything, but I'm where I want to be."
Good. There is plenty of time to see more Prescott. ... while we ignore the silly and disrespectful "ranking'' of him.
Today, instead, let's watch trade pickup "Bazooka'' Joe Milton. We know he can throw a piece of fruit 85 yards. But ...
Can he play football?
Want more real Cowboys talk? Come inside the Fish Report!